Well...according to the latest poll numbers there are 16 people here who want to change the world :o]

At this point this is more of a focus group (which is an appropriate name, don't you think? :oP). The first step is to find out what it is you want to change. What are the three biggest issues or problems in microstock. Keep it short and sweet and as specific as possible. Don't worry about how we will solve them yet. First let's identify the problems and see if we have any consensus to work from. What is wrong with microstock?

Lee

Count me in...

I think the hot topic of the moment is seeing our images being used on CafePress, eBay, CrystalGraphics, etc. and not knowing whether the image usage is violating the TOS from which the image was purchased... standardized and FAIR TOS's would be great although probably not possible since some micros are not based in the good ol' USA and are written for their native countries' laws.

Also I'd like to see the prices ratchet up a little bit, we've been making a pittance for a long time and the quality has escalated exponentially.

Just by two cents, it's late and i'm not thinking clearly...

Stacey

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Good thoughts, even for late night, Stacey. There is actually a group that has been working toward standards in stock photography licensing. The Plus Coalition. I haven't been keeping up lately on how they are doing. You can find out more here...

http://www.useplus.com/

I have a feeling prices are going to be a popular issue here. You are right. The quality in this business has flat skyrocketed.

Lee

Hi,

Usage terms.

Past year someone used an illustration/picture of mine in a contest with his name under the picture. That photographer actually won a place in that contest and the results of that contest were almost a year online before i noticed it.

The site were the picture was downloaded did had contact with that photographer who downloaded the illustration and had it removed from the online contest site where it was displayed (with his copyright name under the picture).

A simple sorry seemed enough for the offender...
And sorry, I don't see it that way. The guy using my illustration, being a photographer himself for more then 30 years should have known better then to sign my work with his name.

So .. usage terms should be amphasized more on the download side.

And off course.. a price raise on all sites would be very welcome...lol..

Patrick.

ps : this is not an isolated case...i've seen an illustration of mine used on a cd cover, and I know for sure it wasn't downloaded with an EL license. Contacting the mis-users also only resulted in a sorry....

One time a designer of website templates used one of my pictures in a
package that could be purchased separatly from the template to use in
numerous templates... (that goes under reselling of images)...
Action taken, site off line and a simple sorry for the photographers who's pictures were sold in that package.

It looks to me that those who want to mis-use your pictures just do so because they know that nothing much is done when they are exposed... and a simple sorry from them will solve everything.

On the 3 excamples above mentioned no EL purchase was done.

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I would be willing to participate too.

Usage terms are a big thing for most, I think, as well as a better cut of the profits.

There are perhaps a lot of other things that could be looked at by such a group, but it's probably better to start off with a couple of specific focal points and see how things go.

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Hi Patrick

Regarding your CD cover, this generally seems to be covered in the standard licences as they are not (their terms not mine) reselling your image but using it for packaging for the contents inside

I would like to see the licencing terms tightened up - such as, one purchase = one use. Not being able to use one picture for evermore after purchasing it for a dollar or less.

Better payouts goes without saying. I have only been noing this for a year and have seen the quality of the images being accepted rise astronomically. If we have to provide better and better work then the returns should match.

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Consistancy between the sites is what I want. Not in all respects as each has to have their own market but things like:

licenses - what an EL actually offers (some have X copies, some Y copies).
contract - some only ask for one leg, some ask for both.

Maybe also consulting with the sites before they make changes. On a confidencial basis of course but in effect you become their focus group. ie. they ask how the photogs would reply to this, and after a quick huddle, you give balanced feedback. like saying that sould find but make sure you offer an opt in option.

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I'm glad to help in whatever small ways I can. Not a long term photographer, although I've written a few books on horses, and have dealt with copyright issues with those. Unfortunately, most folks just don't 'get' copyright and have no understanding of what it means.

Time is my main issue right now, caring for my elderly mother and that means that my time isn't really my own all the time. But whatever I can do, I can try.

Right now I think I lean more towards some sort of interest/pressure group, rather than setting up another micro site, but since it is early, nothing should be ruled out either.

Victoria

I agree with all above. What is EL was tied to image size? just a thought, it would be impossible to police how people are using your images. I like the openness of LO, the sales at IS and SS and the list could go on.

I'm in too.

Beside all those things already mentioned I'd like to have a place where we can collect information about the different licenses, so we can compare it more easily.

I'm only on 5 sites but I'm already confused where what license and for what price is available.